Not every Hostel has internet, and I must admit that I have chosen sleep over blogging...we stay pretty busy around here!
Ok…so last time that you heard from me, I was in Galway. I did not actually tell you much about it though. You should know that Galway is probably my favorite Irish city. It looks nothing like anything else that I have ever seen before. The streets are very narrow, cobble stone and filled with adorable little shops that are housed in buildings that have been standing since the United States of America was a twinkle in the eye of some fed up citizens. Those streets are also filled with musicians and artisans who make a living by performing in the streets with a hat on the ground so that the passing shoppers have the opportunity to drop a Euro or two. I really loved Gallway, I hope to go back some day.
From Gallway, we traveled to Dublin (that is where I am now). In the midst of the eight hour bus ride, I had some incredible Irish experiences. First, we stopped along the seaside and cliff sides frequently. Ireland’s cliffs really, truly have the ability to make a person feel small. I feel so blessed to see the things that I have seen on this trip.
This is part of my group on the clifs!
Next, we stopped at an irish restaurant on the way. I decided to be a bit adventurous and try a “Traditional Irish Breakfast” for lunch (really I was just craving eggs). The food was good (a bit fattier than home and for some bizarre reason baked beans are considered a breakfast food here). The mean also contained something called “White Pudding” it really tasted pretty good. I had no clue of what it was, but it tasted like sausage and I was up for some adventure. Well, after I finished , I asked our tour guide, Matt, what I had just eaten. He laughed (never a good sign) and said “I wouldn’t have told you before you had eaten it” (oh crap). He then informed me that White pudding is actually blood pudding. It is made from all of the “leftover” parts of a pig and chicken. This means blood and grizzle. They are boiled together until they form a solid. I am not really a wimp when it comes to food…but I really did consider throwing up at that moment. I still cringe a bit when I think about it…yuck! Who thought that was a good idea?
Now, I am in Dubin, which is the biggest city that I have ever been in (ok…it is comparable to Chicago). It has been a bit intimidating, but really neat. Today, we visited Trinity college which included the most amazing library that I have ever seen…like three hundred years old and huge. Think library from Beauty and the Beast…change out the light colors for heavily carved stained wood, add a few books and there you go. This library also contains “The Book of Kells” this is an illustrated copy of the gospels from the eight century. This thing blew my mind. It contained some of the most intricate design work known anywhere. What really amazed by about this thing was the fact that it was probably created by fifteen year old monks who used this bible as their creative outlet. They lived in a world of depravation and routine. Out of that, they created one of the most colorful and dynamic pieces of art in existence.
I couldn’t take any pictures at Trinity because there were big NO CAMERA signs everywhere. I took the hint, and bought a poster
Today also brought some interesting interpersonal interaction… The day began with me barely dragging myself out of bed and to the hostel lobby for breakfast (messy hair, puffy eyes…you get the picture). Upon my finding a cup of coffee, Danielle and I were seated in the midst of a deaf traveling group of high schoolers from England (not kidding). As soon as they figured out that we were Americans they began asking question and making comments about our culture. This was amazing! It was a very cool moment! The ones that could speak translated for the ones that could not, and we learned so much about the English prospective on American life…here it is: “Why would anyone leave America to visit the UK, it is so much better in America” wow!
And to end the day, Danielle and I were trapped in an elevator with half of the Swedish World cup team! True Story: we were waiting by the elevator and a tall, cute guy with a football jersey stated talking to us (in hostels people just talk…pretty normal). When the doors open we step in and out of nowhere four of our cute soccer man’s buddies load into the elevator too. All of them were drunk and all of them were huge. HUGE!!! That elevator was packed, and I was convinced that I was about to die… elevator with big drunk guys is on the top of the “no” list in the tour books…woops! Somewhere in the midst of the two floors we traveled, were informed that they would be beating us in the world cup…yes, we met a drunken version of the Swedish World Cup team!!!
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